China vs South Korea

South Korea scores 84.5 in the NationsTree Index (1st in the world) and China scores 69.8 (36th), a gap of 14.8 points. Their trees are 132 m and 40 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

China has 27 times the population of South Korea. China is 95 times larger than South Korea by land area. China has an economy 13 times the size of South Korea (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: China 1.4 billion and South Korea 51.7 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $63,125 in South Korea and $29,333 in China (2025, international dollars). People in South Korea live on average 5.6 years longer (83.6 vs 78.0 years).

Of 34 indicators reported by both countries, China ranks higher in the world on 7 and South Korea on 27. China is clearly stronger in tourism, natural resources and main industries. South Korea is clearly stronger in institutions & safety, military and trade.

As a nation, China is the older of the two (statehood since 1600 BC, 3,625 years), compared with South Korea (since 57 BC). Over the last five years South Korea improved faster (direction score 75 vs 42 out of 100).